First Riders Hit The Road Safely
With the 2024/2025 school year rapidly approaching a traditional annual safety program wrapped up this past Thursday.
The First Rider Program is a program designed to introduce new riders to school buses the ins and outs of taking the bus in an informal and low pressure manner.
“It’s to try and take some of the scariness out of riding the bus for the first time,” Todd Johnson transportation manager with the Prairie South School Division told MJ Independent.
Todd Johnson, transportation manager with Prairie South School Division, addresses those gathered for Thursday afternoon’s First Riders Program - MJ Independent photo
“The buses are big and large and so if we can take some of the intimidation about what the ride is going to be like without the rush of the first day that is what we are trying to accomplish. Make sure they know how to ride safely,” Johnson said.
The program teaches students new to the bus how to get on and off of the bus safely, enjoy the ride safely but at the same time not take away from the experience of being a student and their first memories of school.
Asked about the importance of such a program, given that for many it’s their first time riding a bus, Johnson said it was important.
“This may be the first time for many they’ve been on a bus (of any type),” he said stressing the importance of holding the program.
“We know for Prairie South we bus 2700 kids each and every day for 106 routes so we know that there is high usage of the bus.”
The event was fittingly held in partnership with the Holy Trinity Catholic School Division as there is a cost saving partnership between the school divisions so as not to duplicate routes where not necessary.
In the past there were situations where buses from both divisions drove almost identical routes with only partial capacity. By reducing routes and picking up students from either division the duplication of services where there was rider capacity was reduced.
Although the program speaks about safety to riders when asked about it Johnson said he would like drivers to be aware of the buses at the schools and at the pickup/drop off points as well.
Children are often running to catch the bus or may not pay attention getting off the bus excited which could cause safety problems.
“It’s just a few seconds that could make the safety of our children way better so please just relax. Everyone is very busy nowadays so just try when you see our bus give a wave to the driver but also remember that if they’re stopped they’re probably dropping off or picking up kids.”
It needs to be noted it is illegal under City of Moose Jaw bylaw for school buses to deploy their stopping arms in the city so buses dropping off or picking up may not be so readily noticed.
Salina Marceau is the transportation manager for the Holy Trinity Catholic School Division has attendees line up as if they are boarding and exiting the bus - MJ Independent photo
Salina Marceau is the transportation manager for the Holy Trinity Catholic School Division and sees the First Riders Program as a great for the dozens of students who attended.
“This year it’s been mostly kinders (kindergarten students) and Pre-K last year I remember having all sorts of grades. It’s not just that it’s good it’s just different (in attendees). I think it’s super important the Kinders are coming as they’re the ones who haven’t been on a bus for sure,” Marceau said.
“I love that parents are bringing them out and they actually have a chance to ride a bus,” she said.
Speaking from her own personal experience, as a mom, she said she “definitely followed the school bus for the first two days of school” and how the First Riders program helps to alleviate that.
“I was so anxious. She (Marceau’s daughter) was probably fine but I think if we can provide an opportunity that allows them to be less anxious, to kind of know what’s going on the bus I think it’s (better),” she said.
“It calms parents. It calms kids so it helps them more.”
“We want it to be enjoyable. Even though the bus driver is all about safety…we want it to be about safety and fun.”
Ward Streuby superintendent for Holy Trinity spoke accolades about the program.
“For the kids that show up it’s awesome. We want to take that stress out of that first day of school and make it a little bit magic for the first day. To be able to get on the bus and try it really relieves a lot of the nerves for these kids. It’s phenomenal. It helps the kids and it makes the first day of school a great day,” Streuby said.
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